Hard work pays off for delighted striker Wilson

CALLUM Wilson spoke of his delight after helping fire Newcastle United to a superb win at Crystal Palace.

The £20million man scored and assisted to aid the Magpies at Selhurst Park to stop the rot for Steve Bruce’s side.

Wilson took his tally to seven for the season with an ice-cool finish at the death.

After the game he said: “It was little bit of a frustrating game but you need to be patient in these games and be ready for the opportunity to take it, whether first or 80-something minute.

“We played well tonight and limited them to a few chances. We didn’t create much ourselves but got the goals when it mattered.

“You work hard on fitness, look after your body, be as professional as you can.

“It puts you in good stead for the latter stages in the game. I feel when a chance arises in front of goal I am confident to put it away.

“It was a scruffy finish but they all count and another one to the tally.

“It was nice too for Joe to get on the score sheet. Karl Darlow has been fantastic this season, faced a lot of shots, saved a lot, kept us in games.

“Fedy did a great block, it was game-changing.”

Meanwhile Palace boss Roy Hodgson has waded into the “Callum Wilson for England” debate.

The former Three Lions boss was disappointed to lose to Newcastle United at Selhurst Park but still praised Wilson afterwards.

Wilson conjured up a goal and an assist in the closing stages to set up the 2-0 victory on Friday night. Hodgson said: “He was certainly very, very good. I thought he held the ball up very well and caused our centre-backs problems throughout the game.

“When the long balls were played forward he was always making life very, very difficult for them [the centre-backs] and of course when his chance came his way scored it. That’s the type of ability we know he has because we’ve seen him enough times in the Premier League with Bournemouth to know he’s got that quality as a player.”